Daal, dhaal, raa, and zaay

Learn two dot pairs that break the joining line.

Look at the letter then pronounce it

These four letters can receive a connection from the preceding letter on their right, but never join the following letter on their left. A gap inside a word is not necessarily a space between words. Daal and dhaal have an angled body; raa and zaay curve down.

د ذ ر ز

daal / dhaal / raa / zaay

daal

A short angled body with no dot. d as in day.isolated: دfinal: ـد

daal

dhaal

The daal body with one dot above. dh is voiced th as in this, unlike the breathy th in thin.isolated: ذfinal: ـذ

dhaal

raa

A descending curve with no dot. A light tongue-tip tap or trill, rather than the usual English r.isolated: رfinal: ـر

raa

zaay

The raa curve with one dot above. z as in zoo.isolated: زfinal: ـز

zaay